runway trends

Fashion is back in black for the fall 2012 season

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Men's Fashion / Trends  tagged black / fall 2012 / runway trends / winter 2013 by

Just as the fashion world became excited about bright colors, pastels and neon hues, Vera Wang sent a black wedding dress down her fall 2012 bridal runway. To top the matter off, Milan Fashion Week for fall/winter 2012/2013 menswear, which ended on January 18, 2012, was a sea of black. Not only has black dominated the menswear runways for fall 2012, a few designers such as Emporio Armani, sent their womenswear collection down the menswear runways as well, and they were just as black.

Black has been a mainstay in the wardrobes of Fashionistas for decades; the hue never really went of style, it was just overshadowed by the bright colors of recent seasons. What used to be deemed an anti-establishment hue, black became cool in the 1990’s when minimalism ruled the runways and the streets.

The fall/winter 2012/2013 menswear runways may as well have had the same AC/DC tune blaring on the stereo’s, because 99% of the designers showed up with their collections “Back In Black” and the beautiful bright colors of spring 2012 were nowhere to be found. It should be interesting to see what fall 2012 brings for women when New York Fashion Week kicks off on February 9, 2012. Will we be in a sea of dark and dismal black? Or will autumn hues of orange, green, burgundy, chocolate brown and deep navy grace the runways as seen in many pre-fall collections? We shall see. . .

bride

Cork for spring 2012

 in Eco Chic / General Fashion / Trends  tagged cork / runway trends / spring 2012 by

Cork is one of the hottest fabrications found on accessories for the spring 2012 season. Eco-chic cork is found mainly on shoes for the spring 2012 season, but the innovative fabrication can also be found on handbags, jewelry and even as trim on belts and apparel.

Cork graced the runways in New York, Paris, Milan and London last fall when designers showed off their new spring 2012 collections. These cork designs have taken store shelves by storm and as the weather warms up, they will soon overtake the streets. Designers such as Prada and Stella McCartney are showing cork for the spring 2012 season, and many moderate priced brands are following suit with cork collections of their own for spring.

Normally found used for stoppers on wine bottles, or for noteboards, cork has become an innovative material over the past few decades. Builders use cork for insulation in homes and it has also been used as chic floor and wall tiles. Cork originates from the “Cork Oak” tree and is considered a renewable resource; making it an eco-chic fabrication, love it! What makes cork fabulous is that it is made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, therefore, the tree does not need to be cut down. The bark regrows, which is why cork is a renewable resource and eco-chic!

Cork is definitely one of the hottest ways to update your wardrobe for spring 2012. Not only is cork a renewable resource, making it eco-chic, the material offers texture and a natural vibe which is refreshing for the warm weather months. Look for both casual and dressy options this season when it comes to cork shoes, handbags and apparel.

We scoured the web and put together a few items through the Polyvore set below to help you get started on your cork shopping for spring 2012. Hope you love it! Happy shopping and stay fabulous

y (10)

The softer side of spring 2012

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged pastels / runway trends / spring 2012 by

Spring 2012 is all about color. While bright and bold colors are hot, Paris gave the fashion world another color palette to think about; pastels. The Paris pastel trend seemed to be nothing more than a mere introduction when it graced the runways during Paris Fashion Week last fall. Normally when a trend first appears on the runways, store buyers and Fashionistas take notice, but do not go full force into wearing the trend. Not true this spring 2012 season. Pastels are more important than one would think.

When Paris introduced pastels, many forecasters thought it was an introduction and that in 2013 and 2014 pastels would overtake the bright colors we have grown to love during the past year. Although bright colors are highly sought after and important for spring 2012, pastels are taking an equal place in the world of spring fashion.

Pastels shades are being shown in many forms from color blocking to stand-alone hues. Pastels are being shown with whites, creams, pale beige and soft neutrals on feminine silhouettes; playing up the sweet side of the pastel color spectrum.

There is no denying that pastels are a fast up-and-comer. The hues are being shown in make-up for spring as well as on store shelves everywhere. While this is no signal to stop investing in bright colors, it does tell shoppers to mix it up in spring 2012 and invest in both bright colors and pastels. Look for pastel florals, stand-alone colors and soft color blocking. Pastels are a great way to feel fresh and perfect for days when orange, the color of 2012, is just too bright for the occasion.

y (9)